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Empresas y finanzas

Stock futures drop after Merck's outlook


    NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stock futures dropped on Thursday after pharmaceutical company Merck & Co Inc , a Dow component, offered a disappointing 2009 profit outlook.

    * Dow futures down 42 points; S&P 500 futures off 3.4 points and below fair value.

    * Investors cautious, awaiting a barrage of monthly retail sales reports that could show more consumer spending strains.

    * Focus also on another round of Congressional hearings on the auto industry rescue, with General Motors , Ford and Chrysler executives in the spotlight.

    * Futures were broadly flat before MERCK (MRK.NY)s announcement.

    (Reporting by Ellis Mnyandu, Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)